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Remembering Alexander McQueen

posted by ChickSpeak
Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 10:46am CST

When Nicole Kidman graced the 2007 CMA Awards, all eyes were on her flawless porcelain skin, statuesque figure, and striking butterfly gown.

Designed by Alexander McQueen, the creation featured a luscious silk fabric which rippled in shades of hot pink to dark purple across the floor-length dress. Silhouette butterflies, flowers, and vines patterned the otherwise simple piece, and as with McQueen’s later designs, the variations between bright and dark colors were balanced just right so the dress was neither garish nor boring.

In many ways, the piece captured what we love about both McQueen and Kidman. It was a perfect fusion of designer and celebrity, showing off Kidman’s grace, elegance, and poise while flaunting the understated beauty of a simple though signature McQueen piece.

McQueen’s other creations were arguably more outlandish, with headpieces ranging from deer antlers to his unforgettable Spring 2010 alien shoes. His fashion was edgy, unexpected, and even shocking, qualities which attracted many of Hollywood’s upper crust, including international stars like Lady Gaga and Rihanna.

Gaga, who slipped on McQueen’s lobster claw heels in her “Bad Romance” music video, wore McQueen’s creations to numerous high-profile events, and accepted her award in an amazing vintage red lace piece at the 2009 MTV VMA ceremony. The dress, which was virtually see-through, attracted controversy and praise by critics, some of whom applauded Gaga for her risky fashion choice while others dismissed the selection as just another publicity stunt.

What is arguably most fascinating about McQueen’s creations are the components which make up each individual piece. Take, for instance, outfits from McQueen’s 2009 Spring and Summer collection.

Style.com described the show as a movement from the untouched purities of nature to the dark industrial age we live in now, where everything is hard and cold. The show progressed from bright yellow pieces, adorned with see-through flower patterns, to angular black and gray outfits that featured snakeskin fabrics (a symbolic gesture to the Garden of Eden story).

Instead of basing his show around color pallets or themes, McQueen chose to craft a story through a medium that is purely visual. Without the use of a single word, the audience is able to weave together what is the tragic, poignant, and universal tale of man’s fall from purity and goodness. And somehow, McQueen is able to make it all work: the outfits, the shoes, the accessories, and the makeup with an ease that is devoted entirely to the visual beauty of the strange, surreal, and even alien.

On February 11, Alexander McQueen was found dead by hanging in the armoire of his London apartment. The suicide followed a string of Twitter messages, which mourned the recent loss of his beloved mother. During his lifetime, McQueen received the prestigious British Designer of the Year award four times and was bestowed the title of CBE, or Commander of the Order of the British Empire, by Queen Elizabeth II.

A private man who shied away from the public spotlight, McQueen is known for his dramatic designs, psychedelic patterns, and awe-inspiring runway shows. Born in 1969 to a taxi driver and social science teacher, McQueen left school early at the age of 16 to pursue his love of fashion. His apprenticeship with Savile Row tailors gave him the impeccable finish which all of his creations have, no matter how basic or eccentric they were.

The fashion industry will truly miss this pioneering soul, a designer who knew no bounds to fashion and in his own words said, “It’s a new era in fashion - there are no rules. It’s all about the individual and personal style, wearing high-end, low-end, classic labels, and up-and-coming designers all together.”

Katherine J. Chen is an English major at Princeton University with a certificate in Creative Writing. While she is saddened by McQueen’s death, she knows his designs and legacy will live forever.